Apparatus and method for improving combustion in an internal combustion engine



J1me 1965 B. F. GREGORIC 3,

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING COMBUSTION IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Dec. 23, 1963 INVENTOR.

5mm F. GREGORIC BY Mgmg, 557726 & 670/6 flrroR/VEKS United States Patent 3,186,392 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING COMBUSTION IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Bran F. Gregoric, 3828 4th St., Wayne, Mich. Filed Dec. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 332,821 11 Claims. (Cl. 123119) The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for improving combustion in an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to an apparatus and method incorporating supersonic vibrations which act upon the gas mixture entering the cylinder of an internal combustion engine.

In recent years, considerable attention has been given to methods for decreasing the pollutants exhausted from engine-driven vehicles in an attempt to reduce the smog problem in metropolitan areas. The present invention provides a system which not only reduces the percentage of pollutants exhausted from an internal combustion engine but also increases the efiiciency of the engine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method involving the use of supersonic vibrations to improve combustion in an internal combustion engine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system wherein gases under high compression are taken from the exhaust manifold and recirculated to the intake side of the cylinder.

A further object of the invention is to utilize the high compression exhaust gases as .a means for mechanically creating supersonic vibrations which are subsequently impinged upon the intake gaseous mixture.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which has one connection to the crankcase to draw gases from the crankcase and inject such gases into the intake mixture.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus which preheats the intake mixture to improve combustion.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of an internal combustion engine incorporating one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of a release valve taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the mechanism for creating supersonic vibrations taken substantially along the line 33 of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Before explaning the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. 'Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawing, a conventional internal combustion cylinder and associated intake and exhaust structure are illustrated. A cam operated intake valve 12 and a cam operated exhaust valve 14 are provided. A

piston 16 reciprocates in the cylinder 10. The piston 16 is connected to a crank 18 by means of a piston rod 20. A spark plug 22 is provided to ignite the gaseous mixture in the cylinder 10. As is well known, the cycle of such a conventional engine comprises a first downward stroke of the piston 16 with the intake valve 12 open and the exhaust valve 14 closed to draw a combustible mixture into the cylinder 10. At the bottom of the stroke of the piston 16, the intake valve 12 is closed while the exhaust valve 14 remains closed. The piston 16 then moves upwardly to compress the gaseous mixture within the cylinder 10. At approximately the uppermost position of the piston 16, the spark plug 22 is energized to cause the gaseous mixture to explode. The explosion drives the piston 16 downwardly in a power stroke. When the piston 16 has reached approximately its lowermost position, the exhaust valve 14 is opened while the intake valve 12 remains closed. The subsequent upward movement of the piston 16 forces the burned gases past the exhaus valve and into the exhaust system of the vehicle. The cycle is then repeated.

The intake gaseous mixture comprises air, which is drawn through air cleaner 24, and vaporized fuel, usually gasoline, which is drawn from the carburetor 26. A butterfly throttle valve 28 is provided to control the quantity of the gaseous mixture which is drawn into the cylinder 10. The carburetor 26 has a float chamber 30 with a valve mechanism to control the proportion of gasoline to air. A conduit 32 leads from the carburetor 26 and air cleaner 24 to the intake port 34 of the cylinder 10. The conduit 32 forms a mixing chamber for the air and gasoline.

A conduit 36 leads from the exhaust port 38 to a mufiler 40 from which the exhaust gases are subsequently vented to atmosphere.

The present invention is adapted to improve the operation of such a conventional internal combustion engine. The particular internal combustion engine illustrated is the conventional four-stroke type. However, other types of internal combustion engines are also benefited by the use of the present invention.

It is to be noted that the device 42 of the present invention is fixedly mounted on the crankcase 44. The device 42 comprises an outer cylindrical casing 46 and an inner cylinder 48. The inner cylinder 48 is open-ended. One end 50 is secured within a port in the crankcase 44. The inner cylinder 48 extends axially into the casing 46 and terminates in a beveled end 52.

The casing 46 is a close-ended cylinder. An opening 54 is provided at one end for insertion of the inner cylinder 48. It will be noted that the end wall portion 56 is curved axially inwardly. This configuration assists in directing intake gases axially through the casing 46.

A pressure-release valve 58 is provided at the opposite end 45 of the casing 46. The valve 53 normally seals the casing 46 from atmosphere. However, in the event of a dangerous pressure condition within the casing 46, the valve 58 will open.

As will be noted in FIGURE 2, the valve 58 comprises an outer cup shaped member 60. -.A wall 62 sealingly engages the open end of the cup member 60. The wall 62 has a cylindrical projection 64 which extends for a short distance into the casing 46. The end 45 of the casing 46 is received within the cup member 60, the juncture being sealed fluid-tight by a gasket 66. The projection 64 has a pair of inlet openings 68, 70 in communication with the interior of the casing 46. A spherical valve element 72 is normally biased by a compression spring 74 to engage a valve seat 76. When the pressure within the casing 46 reaches a pre-determined point, the valve element 72 is moved against the action of spring 74 to open communication between the interior of the A conduit 82 extends from the exhaust conduit 36 to the casing 46. It Will be noted that the connection of the end 84 of the conduit 82 is conveniently made with the exhaust conduit 36 through the flange 86 provided on one end of the conduit. The end 84 of the conduit 82 extends into the exhaust conduit 36 and is curved so 7 that the open-ing thereof lies in approximately the center of the conduit 36. This positionment is important in the invention because, as will be later apparent, gases are withdrawn from the exhaust conduit 36 and circulated through the device 4 2 and subsequently into the intake mixing chamber 32. It has been found that the gases at the center or" the exhaust conduit 36 are more burna ble than those at the outer periphery thereofand additionally the pressure and temperature of these center gases are optimum with respect to the pressure and temperature of gases taken from other points within the conduit 36.

The opposite end 88 of the conduit 82 communicates with the interior of the casing 46. 7 It will be noted that the end 88 is located adjacent to the curved end portion 56 of the casing.

A conduit 90 leads from the opposite end of the casing 46 into communication with the interior of the intake conduit 32. A valve 92 is provided in the conduit 90 to close this conduit when the pressure within the intake conduit 32 decreases to a pre-determined point. A very low pressure condition causes sufficient suction to draw oil from the crankcase 44 which, of course, is undesirable.

The valve 92 comprises a valve casing 94 having an inlet 96 and an outlet 98. Anaxially extending tube 104 projects from the outlet 98 towards the inlet 96. A compresssion spring 105 is received on the tube 194 and biases a valve element 102 away from the open end 106 of the tube 104, the end 106 forming a valve seat.

The valve element 102 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 198 for the passage of gas thereby. When the vacuum within the conduit 32 reaches a predetermined value, the valve element 102 Will be drawn towards the valve seat 106 against the action of spring 1% and the center portion 99 will seat thereon to close the tube 194. Closure of the tube 194 prevents the withdrawal of oil from the crankcase 44.

It will be appreciated that in normal operation of the device, exhaust gases are withdrawn from the "outlet conduit 36 through the conduit 82 and into the casing as, thence through the valve 92 and conduit 90 into the intake conduit 32 where they are mixed with the intake mixture and injected into the cylinder 10. Gases are also withdrawn from the interior of the crankcase 44 through the cylinder '48, thence through the valve 92 and conduit 90 into the intake conduit 32. The ga-ses within the crankcase 44 comprise some oil which is respirated from the main body of oil 11.9 and also blow-by gases which escape past the piston 16 during the compression stroke. The piston '16 acts in a manner similar to a pump and creates an above-atmosphericpressure within the crankcase 44. This pressure causes the gases within the crankcase to flow from the crankcase through the cylinder 48. a

It will be noted that an element 112 is secured to the cylinder 48 in axial alignment with the end 88 of the conduit 32. As shown in FIGURE 3, the element 112 has a screw shape comprising a head 114 and threaded shank 116, the shank 1 16 being threadingly received in opening 118 provided in the cylinder 4-8. A threaded axial recess 12% extends from the head 1-14 into the shank 116. The element 112 acts as a vibrating device; High velocity gases expelled from the conduit 82 impingeupon the element 1-12 and into the opening 12% causing the element 112 to vibrate at a supersonic level, that is, in a range of from fifteen thousand to two hundred thousand vibrations per second. The vibration of the element 112 causes vibration of the cylinder 48 and casing 4 6. Vibration of these elements causes vibration of the gases within the casing 46. These gases, vibrating at supersonic levels, are then expelled from the casing 46 into the conduit 32.

It will be noted that openings 122 are provided in the cylinder 48. The openings 122 convert the cylinder 48 into a I-Iartmantype whistle. Turbulent gases passing over the openings 1212 cause the cylinder 48 to vibrate at supersonic levels. This vibration augments the vibration caused by the element 112 to thus increase the intensity of the supersonic vibrations of the gases within the casing 46.

It will be appreciated that there are essentially three sources for causing vibration of the gases within the casing 4-6. These sources are the casing 46, the element 112, and the cylinder 48. Vibration of these elements causes a beat to be produced.

The supersonically vibrating gases enter the intake conduit 32 and cause similar vibration of the gases therewithin. This vibration has been found to result in:

(1) An improved intake gaseous mixture. The mixture is more homogeneous and this improves the combustible characteristics of the charge.

(2) The intake mixture is afiected by the supersonic vibration to result in the energy level of the molecules of the mixture being altered. This is also believed to improve combustion.

(3) The velocity of gas movement within the intake conduit 32 is increased as a result of injecting high velocity'ex-haust gases therein. This increased velocity results in an improved mixture.

As a result of the improved intake mixture, higher efficiency is achieved. This results in a cost saving in running the internal combustion engine and additionally reduces the amount of the pollutants which are expelled from the engine to atmosphere, thus reducing the smog problem resulting from operation of internal combustion engines. In addition, the burning of blow-by gas and oil vapor from the crankcase 44 increases efficiency and the withdrawal of gases having a percentage of burnable material from the exhaust conduit 82 results in improved efliciency along with reduced exhaust of pollutants.

The device 42 has been illustrated as acting directly upon the intake mixture within the conduit 32. This appears to be the optimum point for maximum efiectiveness of the system. However, valuable results can be obtained if the action is upstream of the carburetor 26 or downstream of the intake valve 12, that is, directly within the cylinder .10.

Means for vibrating the intake gases by use of high velocity exhaust gases to create supersonic vibrations has been illustrated. However, the'desired supersonic'vibrations may be created by any desired means, such as, an electrical vibrator, hydraulic vibration of a membrane, pneumatic vibration and the like.

A. small diameter tube 124 is provided within the casing 4-6. One end 126 of the tube 124 communicates with the inlet 96 of the valve 92. The tube 124 then extends towards the lowermost end of the casing 46 and terminates in open end 1.28'adjacent the portion 56 of the casing 46. The tube 124 serves as an aspirator tube and draws any liquid which may collect within'the casing'46 into the valve 92 for injection intothe intake conduit 32. This prevents an undue amount of liquid from collecting within the casing. V

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A device for improving combustion in an internal combustion engine'comprising a vibrator member-responsive to the impingement of gases thereon to vibrate at supersonic frequencies and to cause the impinging gases to vibrate at supersonic frequencies, means for extracting engine exhaust gases and impinging the extracted exhaust gases upon the vibrator member and means for delivering the thus impinged gases to the intake. fuel mixture of the engine.

2. A device for improving combustion .in an internal combustion engine comprising a vibrator including a casing having an inlet and an outlet, vibrating'means within the casing responsive to the impingement of gases thereon to cause the impinging gases to'vibrate at supersonic frequencies, conduit means for connecting the casing inlet to the exhaust of an internal combustion engine for extracting engine exhaust gases and directing the extracted exhaust gases into the casing and against the vibrating means, and conduit means for connecting the casing outlet to the intake fuel mixture of an internal combustion engine to deliver the thus impinged exhaust gases there- 7 into. V p

3. A device for improving combustion in an internal combustion engine comprising a vibrator includlng a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a tubular member Within the casing having openings therein responsive to the impingement of gases thereon to vibrate at supersonic frequencies and to cause the impinging gases to so vibrate, conduit means for connecting the casing inlet to the exhaust of an internal combustion engine for extracting encombustion engine comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a vibrator structure mounted within the casing, said vibrator structure comprising a member having a threaded recess therein in alignment with the casing inlet, said vibrating member being responsive to the impingement of .gases onto said recess to vibrate at supersonic frequencies and to thereby cause the casing and impinging gases to so vibrate, conduit means for connecting the casing inlet to the exhaust of an internal combustion engine for extracting engine exhaust gases and directing the extracted exhaust gases into the casing and against the vibrating member, and conduit means for connecting the casing outlet to the intake fuel mixture of an internal combustion engine to deliver the thus impinged exhaust gases thereinto.

5. A device for improving combustion in an internal combustion engine comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a tubular member having one end in cornmunication with the, interior of the crankcase of an internal combustion engine, said tubular member extending from the crankcase and into the casing, the portion of the tubular member Within the casing having a plurality of openings responsive to the impingement of gases thereon to cause the impinging gases to vibrate at supersonic frequencies, conduit means for connecting the casing inlet to the exhaust of an internal combustion engine for extracting engine exhaust gases and directing the extracted exhaust gases into the casing and against the tubular member, and conduit means for connecting the casing outlet to the intake fuel mixture of an internal combustion engine to deliver the thus impinged exhaust gases thereinto.

6. A device as described in claim 5 and further charthe intake fuel mixture to close and thereby prevent withdrawal of fluid from saidcasing.

7. A device for improving combustion in an internal combustion engine comprising a mechanical vibrator including .a casing having an inlet and first and second outlets, vibrating means within the casing responsive to the impingement of gases thereon to vibrate at supersonic frequencies and to cause the impinging gases to so vibrate, conduit means for connecting the casing inlet to the ex haust of an internal combustion engine for extracting engine exhaust gases and directing the extracted exhaust gases to the casing and against the vibrating means, a pressure relief valve in the first casing outlet responsive to a pre-determined pressure within the casing to vent the casing, and conduit means for connecting the second casing outlet to the intake fuel mixture of an internal combustion engine to deliver the engine exhaust gases from the easing into the intake fuel mixture. Y

8. The method for improving combustion in an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of supersonically vibrating a gaseous material, and injecting the so vibrated gaseous material into the intake fuel mixture of the engine.

9. The method of improving combustion in an internal combustion engine comprising extracting exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine exhaust, vibrating the so extracted gases to supersonic frequencies, and then injecting the so vibrated extracted exhaust gases into the intake fuel mixture of the engine.

' 10. The method of improving combustion in an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of extracting exhaust gases from the engine exhaust, mechanically vibrating the extracted exhaust gases to supersonic frequencies, and then injecting the extracted exhaust gases into the intake fuel mixture of an internal combustion engine while the extracted exhaust gases are still vibrating at supersonic frequencies.

11. The method of improving combustion in an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of extracting exhaust gases from the exhaust of an internal combustion engine, simultaneously extracting gases from the crankcase of the internal combustion engine, impinging the extracted exhaust gases against a mechanical vibrator in the presence of the gases extracted from the engine crankcase to cause the mechanical vibrator to vibrate at supersonic frequencies in the presence of the extracted exhaust gases andextracted crankcase gases to cause supersonic vibrations of said gases, and then injecting the mixture of extracted exhaust gases and crankcase gases into the intake fuel mixture of the internal combustion engine while said gases are still vibrating at supersonic frequencies.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,714,156 5/29 Broncato 123-119 2,096,526 10/37 Pratt 123119 2,704,535 3/55 Magui 123-119 2,732,835 1/56 Hundt 123-119 2,908,443 10/59 Fruengel 123119 RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner. KARL J. ALBRECHT, Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR IMPOVING COMBUSTION IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE COMPRISING A VIBRATOR MEMBER RESPONSIVE TO THE IMPINGEMENT OF GASES THEREON TO VIBRATE AT SUPERSONIC FREQUENCIES AND TO CAUSE THE IMPINGING GASES TO VIBRATE AT SUPERSONIC FREQUENCIES, MEANS FOR EXTRACTING ENGINE EXHAUST GASES AND IMPINGING THE EXTRACTED EX- 